The Newburgh City council passed a new smoking law in the City of Newburgh prohibiting smoking in public places. The law is an amendment to the local law on tobacco. Councilman Anthony Grice spearheaded the initiative working with local anti-smoking groups and corporate counsel Michelle Kelson to create the legislation.

The purpose of the amendment is to reduce the exposure of secondhand smoke to the public, especially for children and to reduce litter and contamination in public places.

The prohibits smoking in city parks, outdoor recreation areas, in areas or events where people cannot readily escape second hand smoke, within 25 feet of an area with a mobile vending cart, or a mobile vendor operating on city-owned or city-leased property, within 25 feet of the entrance or window to any city owned property or mass transit shelter.

The fines will begin at $50 for a first offense, $100 for a second offense, and $250 for a third offense and each violation following that.

This law will go into effect on May 1, 2019, once the proper signage is put up on the necessary properties.